An Arts-Filled, Tasty And Sometimes-Loopy Jaunt Through Life

Very recently I was driving through a supermarket’s enormous loading dock area, located in the rear of the store, on my way to the even more enormous customer parking lot out front. Near the loading docks was a small truck, part of the Amoroso’s Baking Company fleet, delivering rolls to the market. Amoroso’s rolls are legendary in the greater Philadelphia region.

Well, I knew I should have stopped to snap a picture of the truck, because its exterior sides were canvases smashingly designed and painted. Rolls and logos never looked so good. But I didn’t. However, those brief moments in the truck’s presence popped an idea into my head. It wasn’t a world-class idea, but few of mine are. And so I’ve run with it. The idea? To locate great-looking trucks (and vans, as it turned out) whose images would grace and anchor a story I’d write about seeking and finding beauty in the paved-over and ultra-developed land that comprises my suburban Philadelphia surroundings.

I’ve whined a bunch of times before on these pages about the anywhere-USA look of much of where I live. Around here, indoor malls, strip malls, gas stations and office parks rule. But amid all these many eyesores, I realized after ogling the Amoroso’s truck, were works of art on wheels. But how to scout them out? Swiveling my head to watch them as I zipped along the road at 30 or more miles per hour didn’t seem like a game plan to follow. I drive distractedly enough as it is.

The solution of course was to troll, while in my car, shopping places’ parking and delivery areas. Which is what I did two Fridays ago, sticking within three miles of my abode and devoting two hours to the enterprise. I came upon some gems. It’s awfully possible that nobody anywhere ever has been on this mission before. If so, I beam broadly. At last I may qualify for admission into some Hall Of Fame or other.

In addition to trucks and vans, I also discovered during my excursion that the local police have telepathic powers. Twice, I say twice, I was pulled over, while en route from one shopping province to another, and ticketed for driving with idiotic intent. When I receive the official summonses, I’m going to represent myself in court.

“Your Honor,” I’ll say to the judge, “give me a break. I’m a blogger, a pseudo-writer struggling to churn out story after story. I swear, the pressure is getting to me! It’s driving me half-insane, which, come to think of it, maybe isn’t all that bad seeing that I was already one-quarter insane before I started my blog.”

‘Your Honor,” I will continue, “I know that this notion to write about pretty trucks was grasping at straws. But it’s the best I could do. Your Honor, I’m begging for mercy!”

I can picture the judge staring at me quizzically and sternly. “Take this fool away,” I can then hear him saying to the court officers. “Four months in the county jail will do him good.”

Yikes! I’m in deep shit. I need to wrap up this article and start planning my escape. So here’s the rest of the story:

Most commercial trucks and vans, as we know, are vanilla, being unadorned or uninspiringly painted. But some are cool as can be, decorated with fine designs and pictures, and with colors that rock or calm, depending on the business’s targeted audience. Andy Warhol probably loved looking at boffo trucks on Manhattan’s streets. That would have been expected of he who delighted in the sight of snappy Brillo boxes.

VanillaSomewhat-cute vanilla

In addition to the beauties and one example of vanilla, I’ve placed an image of somewhat-cute vanilla into this story. It is the vehicle belonging to Mike’s Taxidermy. I don’t know why Mike didn’t paint some examples of his craft on his truck. He should have. I won’t hold that against him, though. In fact, when my pet groundhog Dig-Dig eventually expires I plan to have Mike stuff and preserve him. I then will sit Dig-Dig in the middle of my backyard so that my memories of him never fade from my mind.

In closing, let me say that I find it a tough call as to which truck or van grabbed me the most. Was it the van belonging to Lee’s Hoagie Shop? That hoagie on its roof clearly is rad. Or the truck delivering Bassett’s ice cream? Man, those scoops of ice cream are tantalizing. Or the Kreider Farms vehicle? It’s a true looker.

A decision is required and is at hand. My vote goes to Kreider Farms. I am in love with the pink sky and soft yellow rising sun. And I admire the perfect balance of the design elements. Whoever created the picture is one talented artist. And she/he possesses a good sense of humor and a good heart too. Look at that cow! Talk about adorable.

Folks, that’s about it. Thanks for reading. And be sure to check out those fine trucks and vans out there in your neck of the woods. They’re everywhere!

(Don’t be shy about sharing this story or about adding your comments)

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Great trucks. Sounds like you had a fun time photographing them. I really like the Bassets ice cream one and the pea pod giant because they look like vintage advertising photos where food was impossibly perfect and ice cream was so enticing. The cow one is also very cute and remind me of children’s book illustrations.

I agree, the Kreider truck is stunning. I like the way the charming pink sky lightens as it hugs the rolling green hills, and the yellow orb of sun rises next to the fuchsia barn and silo. And the cow’s pink udders seem to whisper “Hey… over here… can I get a hand?” Seriously though, if you’re a pop-art aficionado, this sounds like fun. Neil, I’m looking forward to retirement!

My vote is for the sub on top of Lee’s van. They didn’t just paint the truck, they added to it! What most companies don’t realize is that one’s truck is the best advertising. And if it stands out, you’d better be driving nice. (When your groundhog digs his grave, we’ll send you ours…)

My late brother did this exact type of commercial art for many years in Omaha. He helped design and configure the decals and screen printing templates for vehicle graphics on vans, trucks, cars, and city buses. He greatly enjoyed his job.

Hello across the Atlantic.
The peapod trucks are delivery trucks for the Giant chain of supermarkets. People order groceries online and peapod brings the order to their homes. Apparently a lot of people are doing this.
Enjoy the weekend!

So you plan to have Dig-Dig stuffed, hunh? Interesting. I absolutely swear on my mother’s grave that the following is true: When I was moonlighting in a thrift store job one summer from my normal job at the local high school, there was a woman who would come in to shop with the oldest rattiest-looking miniature poodle I’d ever seen. She carried it everywhere or put it in her shopping cart. Fast forward two years, and I saw the same woman get out of her car at a CVS, and that dog had been stuffed and was in the back window of her car.–Absolutely true and absolutely gross! Take it from me, don’t have Dig-Dig stuffed. It’s not nice to stuff your pets!

I love the Peapod truck. Green is a favorite of mine. The other day I snapped a lusty photo of a Boar’s Head truck and posted to Instagram, saying, “Follow that truck!” Gotta love the good stuff. And we have a much cherished shot of the hubs standing lovingly beside a huge bacon truck. I believe he said something like, “Now I can die happy…” Brought a tear to my eye. 😂Nice way to shear off a few hours I’d say. 👏

I admire your ability to find beauty in the paved-over commercial world and share it with a chuckle.

On the whole, the Kreider Farms truck is my favorite too. Pink and green are a great combination that is not seen all that often. The cow with the rose and the word “micro-mooery” are endearingly silly.

But the Kreider Farms design is somewhat cluttered, with illegible text on the yellow & green (!?) county fair ribbon and a crowded horizon. (Would rather have no barn and the sun a little to the right.) For me, the Peapod truck is a close second, with a lot of kelly green and some other bright colors in a crisp bold design that clearly communicates the nature of the business. But why is a nice nerd like me talking like an art critic?